Shirley June Kaminski

Shirley June Kaminski of Newport Beach, Calif., beloved wife of Robert John Kaminski, died Wednesday, June 18 of natural causes at her home in Newport Bluffs. She was 86 years old.

Born April 29, 1928 in Ottawa, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Merrin Leroy Hilton, a railroad worker; and Pearl Nancy Hilton, who worked for Illinois Bell. Through them, Shirley learned to value the richness and satisfaction in life that stem from hard work and healthy relationships. She graduated from Ottawa High School in 1946 and began her career in accounting at a small shipbuilding concern in La Salle County.

In early 1951 while working for the Fireman's Fund Insurance firm in Chicago, she met Bob, who was to be her lifelong and devoted companion of 62 years. The two of them locked eyes at a roller skating rink while he was on leave from the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. They married May 26, 1952, and moved to California, where she continued her career in accounting with Gannett Publishing and started her family.

Shirley was known for her warmth, sense of humor, and fondness of books, art, movies, theater, and opera, as well as tennis in her earlier years. She also loved to travel in the U.S. and abroad. Many happy family memories were made while camping-- in tents, travel trailers, and ultimately, motor homes. She learned to speak some Farsi and to love Persian cuisine and culture while living in Tehran, where Northrop Grumman stationed Bob during the 1970s. She continued to expand her skills in business accounting with Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, Calif., and worked for a short time for a division in Spain. She greatly enjoyed the fulfillment of working with a close-knit team and retired after 24 years in international travel accounting.

Shirley was committed to serving her church, the Red Cross, and charity. While living in Rancho Palos Verdes, she and Bob opened their home to several foster children and for over 10 years worked jointly with St. Peter's By the Sea Presbyterian Church to provide additional support and care to underserved children in L.A. County orphanages. Her dark eyes sparkled when she laughed, and her arms quickly opened to welcome, comfort and reassure. Her beauty and youthful appearance consistently disguised her years even as she became a great grandmother.
Following a stroke in 2000 that paralyzed her right side, she continued to travel. Capping their journeys afar was a whirlwind trip cruising and flying around the world in 49 days. From her wheelchair, the world remained accessible—and though vast and occasionally inhospitable, she was never slowed for a moment. Even as a growing number of health issues intervened, she persistently overcame them without complaint. Still, above all that she experienced, Shirley cherished celebrating holidays, vacations and regular days and nights in the presence of her ever-growing family.
A loving serviceman's wife and mother, Shirley considered the contributions she made to the successes enjoyed by each of her family members foremost among her accomplishments. She was blessed with a very full and active life. So, in this same spirit, her family and friends now celebrate her life and the love she graciously shared with all of them.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Bob; her brother Calvin Curtis Hilton and his wife, Carol Anne, of Chicago; her three daughters, Nancy June Gardner, of Laguna Hills, Calif., and her husband, Steven Mezyk; Diane Elaine Hensley and her husband Joseph Michael Hensley of Punta Chame, Panama; and Cynthia Lee Martin and husband Ronald Robert Martin of Long Beach, Calif.; her three grandchildren, Julie Ann Gardner of Laguna Beach, Calif., Justin Ryan Wegnes and his wife Jessica Leah of Long Beach; Daniel Scott Gardner and his wife Rebecca Megan of Rancho Bernardo, Calif. and her great grandchild Conner Cash Gardner.

Memorial services are scheduled at Saint Peter's by the Sea on Mon. June 30 at 11 a.m., 6410
Palos Verdes Dr., South, Rancho Palos Verdes. Private interment will be at Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel, 27501 South Western Ave. in Rancho Palos Verdes. Donations may also be made in Shirley's honor to the Salvation Army.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275